Just as the cure for a catastrophic flood is not a devastating drought, the proper correction of an old misguided policy that tilts way too far to one side is not the creation of a new misguided policy that tilts way too far to the other side. While I expect no disagreement on this, I do expect to see it widely ignored as we fashion remedies that don't solve problems so much as replace them with equal and opposite problems. I'm reminded of the woman who wanted to be a dancer but her mother forced her to be a singer instead. She vowed to correct this injustice by forcing her own daughter to be a dancer. With Black Friday only days away, 'tis the season to once again hear about the "War on Christmas." I don't believe there is a war on Christmas; I believe there's a war on common sense and Christmas is merely one battleground in that conflict. I see the two impassioned sides in this debate as unwitting allies, each attacking common sense from an opposite flank.
First, Christmas is doing just fine, thanks for asking. The seasonal music broadcast by radio stations and countless public venues isn't dominated by Hanukkah carols, and children at the mall are not lining up for a picture on Kwanzaa Calvin's lap. If all shoppers were greeted with Happy Hanukkah instead of Merry Christmas I could better understand the outrage, but inclusive pleasantries such as Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings and other long traditional tidings shouldn't be so upsetting. For those who are that concerned about honoring the birth of Jesus, reaching out to all who celebrate a holiday should not be seen as affront, but rather an opportunity to be good Christians and share your toys. Forgive those who trespass against you by using this season to spread peace on earth, good will toward men instead of another opportunity to reaffirm your dominance.
That said, let's be clear about something. A majority celebrating its culture does not constitute a jackboot to the throat of a minority. While the mighty must not oppress and abuse the weak, that doesn't mean the more powerful must placate the less powerful by bowing to their every whim. In this country and elsewhere, Christmas has transcended its origin as a religious holiday, and I see no reason why it can't be celebrated as such without fear of offending anyone. Adorning a school or town square with a Christmas tree or image of Santa Claus is no more an imposition of religion than "God bless you" after a sneeze. This is a far cry from the days of forcing public schoolchildren to recite New Testament passages. While it was right to correct that injustice, we have now grossly overshot the mark.
We should be building bridges to resolve our differences, not erecting walls to create new ones. As we are facing trying and uncertain times, I can't fathom a reason to manufacture a new source of outrage over something so innocuous. Thus, the very existence of this conflict is a crippling assault on common sense. This problem will vanish if we can agree on two simple points. First, those who prefer to say Merry Christmas are not proselytizing or harming anyone of any background in any way. Secondly, the huge institution of Christmas is not facing an existential threat because some people are more comfortable saluting the various seasonal holidays as one, particularly when addressing strangers. The correct response to all well wishes, whether in the form of Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or anything else is always "thank you" followed by well wishes of your own.
